TMC's Saket Gokhale alleges Election Commission bias, raises concerns over fairness in WB bypolls
Kolkata: TMC MP Saket Gokhale has publicly criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) over what he describes as alarming inaction and bias regarding key issues related to the upcoming bypolls in West Bengal. Gokhale revealed that on 8th November, the TMC had urgently requested a meeting with the full bench of the ECI to discuss serious concerns over the bypolls. However, despite continuous follow-ups, the ECI allegedly did not respond. By the morning of 9th November, TMC had escalated its efforts, sending a delegation of five MPs led by Floor Leaders from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to Delhi. When the delegation visited the ECI around 3 p.m. and submitted letters outlining their concerns, they were still met with silence.
According to Gokhale, the TMC’s worries centre around two critical issues. Firstly, he pointed to the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in West Bengal, claiming that CAPF personnel are operating independently, without required cooperation with the local police—a violation of ECI protocols. Additionally, Gokhale stated that CAPF members have been visiting residents’ homes, threatening them to vote for the BJP. Secondly, Gokhale raised an issue over recent remarks by a BJP minister who reportedly told West Bengal Police officers to "remove the national emblem from your uniform and put a slipper instead," a statement he condemned as deeply disrespectful.
Gokhale expressed frustration that, despite TMC’s repeated efforts, the ECI responded only on 10th November, granting an appointment at 3:30 p.m., just 90 minutes before the campaign period ended. He asserted that this timing rendered the meeting almost pointless, leaving little time to address these urgent concerns before the close of campaigning.
Gokhale alleged that the ECI’s delayed response hints at an inclination to favour the BJP, facilitating interference in the electoral process. He described the situation as a “disturbing trend” in India’s democracy, expressing dismay over the apparent lack of fairness from an institution meant to safeguard impartial elections. Gokhale stressed that the ECI must remember its duty to uphold free and fair elections, not act as a tool for political interests.
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41 lakh illicit liquor seized, 1.84 lakh arrested in major drive: K'taka Minister tells Assembly
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): The Karnataka Excise Department has conducted a statewide crackdown on illegal liquor trade over the last two years, resulting in arrests and seizures of alcohol, Karnataka Excise Minister R B Timmapur said on Tuesday.
As many as 1,09,017 people were arrested, and seizures included 13.66 lakh litres of liquor and 27.19 lakh litres of beer, he said in a written reply to a starred question by Harihar BJP MLA B P Harish in the Karnataka Assembly.
The Minister said the enforcement drive covered the financial year 2023–24, 2024–25 up to June, and 2025–26 from July to October, targeting unauthorised liquor manufacture, storage, sale and transportation across the State.
"During this period, statewide enforcement drives resulted in a total of 1,84,570 raids against illegal liquor sales,” Timmapur said.
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He noted that 9,179 non-bailable cases and 91,968 bailable and compoundable cases under Section 15(A) of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, were registered during the same period.
According to him, there have been no reports indicating that students have become addicted to alcohol due to illegal liquor sales.
The sale of alcohol to minors is strictly prohibited under the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, and the department has issued periodic instructions to initiate legal action against violators, with strict enforcement and investigation measures in place, the Minister said.
Excise officials are carrying out regular road and night patrols, collecting intelligence, monitoring habitual offenders and conducting raids to identify illicit distillation units, unauthorised liquor outlets and spurious liquor manufacturing centres, he said, adding the department is also enforcing the law to prevent the production, storage, sale and transport of spurious, non-duty-paid and unauthorised liquor.
Regular patrols are being conducted on national and state highways, with suspicious vehicles being subjected to checks.
At the district level, standing committee meetings are held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners, and joint operations are carried out with the police and forest departments to curb excise-related offences.
The department is also conducting awareness programmes through Gram Sabhas and in schools and colleges to educate the public and students about the physical, mental and social health hazards associated with alcohol addiction and substance abuse, Timmapur added.
